Won't argue with the "underrated" definition. I think the "misunderstood" has to do with that lumping in with the synth era. I know it IS heavy on the synths, but to me it sounds different. I'm not a fan of Grace Under Pressure - what I would consider the "quintessential" synth album from the band. It is, to me, slight, and I intensely dislike the drum sounds. The lyrics, to me, reflect that "synth ethos", with a lot of single word or phrase-type lyrics (I'm thinking of Red Lenses, or Kid Gloves). HYF is, to me, different in EVERY way from P/G, even though instrumentally there are overlaps. If the Rush of 1976 was handed the sheet music to the songs on P/G I'm not sure they'd know what to do with them, or what the output would be, since I don't think those songs would translate; they're already guitar heavy, just in a different way. But I think if the Rush of 1976 was given the sheet music to the songs on HYF, they could dig right in and that would be an album to behold. I don't think it's just "because I like the songs". I didn't for the longest time. I can remember when I had the epiphany; I was painting my bedroom in my old house, and was doing my semiannual revisit of P/G. Then I went to HYF, and it was decidedly different.
I don't agree, but fair enough (especially since I think I'm in the minority with not regarding Signals as "synth era"). A lot of what you wrote after that is very interesting to ponder and will make for a great discussion one of these days when I get to buy you a beer in person.
I'm with you I don't consider it "synth era" Rush. It's a bridge from their "greatest era" to the "syth era" IMO
Yup...to me, Signals has FAR more in common with MP than with the three albums that followed.
I've seen folks group their albums (at least the first twelve or fifteen) into trios, and I can see it that way as well.
Rush-FBN-COS are very Zeppelin-inspired, proto-prog-metal sounding stuff.
2112-AFTK-HEMI are where they really dug their feet into the prog scene with sprawling epics, lush arrangements and complex orchestrations within the ensemble, along with the introduction of synths, bass pedals, and more auxiliary percussion by Neil.
PEW-MP-SIG, as stated earlier in this thread, kind of feels like the band taking a turn at the turn of the decade, writing more concise songs but still infusing them with progressive bridges and solos.
GUP-POW-HYF saw the band reach the heights of incorporating synths and keyboards to their sound, along with Neil bringing in electronic drums and synth percussion.
Presto-RTB-CP saw the band slowly moving back to their hard rock roots and dialing up Alex a bit more.
TFE-VT-S&A kind of don't really feel like a trio, but I could sense some similarities within those albums, but I'd say they're just as different as they are similar.
I think if it wasn't for the "live album every four studio albums" pattern they created for themselves up to Different Stages, fans might have seen their discography in this manner (in threes instead of fours).
-Marc.